Chapter 19.50
DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICTS
Sections:
19.50.020 Relationship to other regulations.
19.50.060 Design districts described.
19.50.070 Historic district purpose and applicability.
19.50.080 Gateway district purpose and applicability.
19.50.090 SR 410 district purpose and applicability.
19.50.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish criteria and procedures for the development within the city’s three commercial areas to:
(1) Implement the comprehensive plan;
(2) Serve the public interest in public peace, health, safety, morals and welfare by helping to assure residents of an aesthetically and culturally pleasing environment by promoting and perpetuating educational, cultural, aesthetic, and social values as well as economic development; and
(3) Preserve the beauty and history of the community for its citizens. (Ord. 12-20 § 1 (Att. 1), 2020;Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.020 Relationship to other regulations.
The requirements of this chapter are in addition to other regulations affecting land use and construction within the city including, without limitation, the comprehensive plan, zoning and subdivision codes, SEPA, Shorelines Management Act, and building and mechanical codes. In case of conflict between this and other regulatory provisions, the stricter enactment shall prevail. (Ord. 12-20 § 1 (Att. 1), 2020; Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.030 Review procedures.
Repealed by Ord. 05-23. (Ord. 12-20 § 1 (Att. 1), 2020; Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.040 Review required.
(1) A person who proposes to construct or alter a structure or fixture that is subject to design review shall submit to the planning director a written application that complies with the requirements set forth in the “City of Buckley Design Guidelines.” No structure or fixture that is subject to review under the city’s design guidelines may be constructed or altered until approved in accordance with processes for major or minor design review as specified in BMC Title 20.
(a) “Major design review” is required for the construction of new buildings and for substantial exterior modifications to the majority of a building facade that affects multiple design elements.
(b) “Minor design review” is required for any exterior modifications not considered “major design review.”
(2) The review authority may approve, approve with conditions, or deny a project.
(a) Conditions shall be given that bring a project into conformance with the code or design guidelines.
(b) Where practical difficulties are involved in carrying out the design standards, the review authority shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, provided the review authority shall first find that special individual reasons make the strict letter of the design standards impractical and the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of the design standards and does not create a material departure from any consistent design in surrounding buildings. (Ord. 05-23 § 6, 2023; Ord. 02-22 § 12, 2022; Ord. 12-20 § 1 (Att. 1), 2020; Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.050 Design criteria.
(1) The city of Buckley design guidelines (design guidelines) dated August 27, 2019, and any amendments or modifications thereto, are adopted by reference as though it were set forth in full in this chapter. Three copies of the document shall be placed on file in the city clerk-treasurer’s office together with associated maps and shall be maintained there for public examination and copying.
(2) In determining whether to recommend approval, approval with modification, or denial of a project, the decision maker shall apply criteria set forth in the design guidelines. (Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.060 Design districts described.
The three design districts are as shown on the maps adopted in the ordinance codified in this chapter as Attachments A, B, and C and will be on file in the planning office as well as the city clerk’s office. (Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.070 Historic district purpose and applicability.
(1) The purpose of the historic district is to:
(a) Recognize the significant role of the city and its pioneer residents in the history and development of Pierce County and the state of Washington;
(b) Preserve the comfort and prosperity of Buckley citizens by preserving a downtown core that is active and interesting to Buckley’s citizens and to those passing through; and
(c) Promote growth and enhance property values by minimizing discordant, unsightly developments.
(2) The design review requirements of this chapter pertain to all structures and fixtures that are used for commercial purposes that lie within the historic-commercial design review district as shown on the map in the guidelines.
(a) These guidelines do not apply to single-family detached residences and the home occupations that may be within them. (Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.080 Gateway district purpose and applicability.
(1) The purpose of the gateway district is to:
(a) The design of the Rainier Gateway Subarea shall reflect the community’s desire to preserve open space and views of Mount Rainier.
(b) Transition from the auto-dependent SR 410 to the more pedestrian-friendly historic Downtown.
(c) Strive to build nonmotorized connections created by the Foothills Trail.
(2) The design review requirements of this chapter pertain to all structures and fixtures that are used for commercial purposes that lie within the gateway design review district.
(a) These guidelines do not apply to single-family detached residences and the home occupations that may be within them. (Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).
19.50.090 SR 410 district purpose and applicability.
(1) The purpose of the SR 410 district is to:
(a) Regulate growth to provide reasonable access on and off Highway 410;
(b) Promote economic development by preventing unsightly strip development that presents a massive flat aspect to Highway 410;
(c) Help assure residents of an aesthetically and culturally pleasing environment; and
(d) Promote and perpetuate educational, cultural, aesthetic, and social values by encouraging the construction of buildings that reflect the city’s agricultural, railroad and logging antecedents.
(2) The following proposed or existing structures and fixtures are subject to review under the Highway 410 design review criteria:
(a) The structure or fixture is on or proposed for property located within the SR 410 design review district as indicated on the applicable district map; and/or
(b) The proposal is a sign also regulated under Chapter 19.30 BMC; and/or
(c) The structure or fixture is used for commercial purposes; and
(d) These guidelines do not apply to single-family detached residences and the home occupations that may be within them.
(3) An overlay district is established as follows: 150 feet north and 150 feet south of SR 410 right-of-way lines between Mundy Loss and SR 165. The following criteria shall be met:
(a) Development in this subarea shall meet design guidelines for the SR 410 district. If no development is in this subarea, then the entire parcel shall be subject to the SR 410 design guidelines.
(b) Development in this subarea shall meet the uses and regulations of the General Commercial zone regardless of the parcel’s zoning.
(c) Development outside the subarea, if not hidden by another building, shall meet all of the design guidelines.
(d) Development outside the subarea that is hidden by another building in accordance with this chapter shall meet building height, landscape, and parking requirements of the city’s code.
(i) If the building next to SR 410 is removed, the building behind it shall be remodeled or altered to meet the SR 410 design criteria in effect at the time it is remodeled. (Ord. 19-19 § 5, 2019).